Southwest monsoon exits India as northeast rains take over South

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has formally announced the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from across India, signaling the end of the country's primary rainfall season. Simultaneously, the northeast monsoon has commenced in parts of South India, bringing the seasonal shift that characterizes India's dual monsoon climate patterns.

This year's southwest monsoon, which runs from June through September, fell short of expectations with rainfall measuring 12.6 percent below the long-term average. The deficiency reflects the uneven distribution of precipitation across the country during the crucial agricultural season, with implications for crop yields and water reservoir levels heading into winter.

The transition between monsoon systems is a critical juncture in India's hydrological calendar. While the southwest monsoon retreats from northern and central regions, the northeast monsoon brings moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal to coastal areas and interior regions of South India, particularly affecting Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and southern Karnataka.

The IMD's confirmation of the monsoon shift enables farmers, water resource managers, and disaster officials to recalibrate their planning for the coming weeks. The northeast monsoon typically brings moderate to heavy rainfall to peninsular India through December, with peak activity occurring in November.